Smith's road to recovery one story of special, five-player Texas Tech senior class

Friday

Mar 2, 2018 at 10:54 PMMar 2, 2018 at 10:54 PM

By Carlos Silva Jr.A-J Media

Zach Smith would not quit.

After breaking a bone in his right foot back on Jan. 6, the chiseled 6-foot-8 forward was told his chances for returning to the court were slim to none.

Smith, who missed 13 games with the injury earlier in the year, realized how fortunate he was to be able to bounce a ball and lace up his shoes one more time inside United Supermarkets Arena.

In many respects, the Plano native will likely include the Texas Tech training staff, along with the strength and conditioning crew, among the many people who helped him reach the Division I level and, more important, his final home game as a Red Raider.

Smith, along with Keenan Evans, Justin Gray and Tommy Hamilton IV and Niem Stevenson will get their chance, as well, before No. 12 Texas Tech hosts TCU at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Big 12 season finale for both squads. The game is set to be televised on ESPN2.

"I was told that there was a chance that I wouldn't be able come back," said Smith, whose Tech squad comes into the contest 22-8 overall and 10-7 in Big 12 play. "But, I was pretty confident with the training staff that we have that there was a good chance that I would come back. I'm appreciative of all the work that they've put me through."

Much of the work included sitting in the training room, while undergoing various treatments administered by head athletic trainer Chris Williams. After that, Smith would find time to keep in basketball shape by working with head strength and conditioning coach John Reilly and his staff.

"I was still able to maintain body workouts and stuff like that. A lot of rehab on my foot," Smith said of what he did to return to the hardwood. "Just doing my best to get back out there on the court."

His efforts were not lost by his teammates.

Fellow senior Justin Gray, who suffered knee tendinitis which kept him out of action early in his career, was aware of all the emotions that come with being away from the team while plugging away at rehab. He made sure to keep Smith's spirits up while he was working toward his goal to log game-time minutes.

"I was constantly talking to Zach throughout this whole process. Just keeping him positive," said Gray, who had played in and started in 29 games before a concussion against Kansas last weekend broke that streak. "I know with my injury, I was in a dark place. I felt lonely, a lot. Didn't really feel part of the team as I wanted to. That's just some of the frustrations that come with being injured. So I wanted to make sure he was all right and felt involved and could still help us."

Texas Tech coach Chris Beard was in awe of Smith's work-ethic, considering his chances to return to the lineup were slim.

"This wasn't easy," Beard said. "This wasn't supposed to happen. Zach was pretty humble of his assessment of that. I was told pretty point blank not to expect him to come back. ... He's kind of had this gleam in his eye. And kept telling me, 'Coach, I'm playing. I don't care what these guys say, I'm playing.'"

And Smith will be able to do just that, in front of family, friends and about 15,098 fans donning scarlet and black.

"I just feel like it came extremely quick," Smith said. "I'm just excited to play this last game in front of Red Raider nation."

The same goes for Evans (17.2 points), Gray (5.1), Stevenson (5.1) and Hamilton IV (5.8) who will all be amped up to end their careers with a home win against the red-hot Horned Frogs (21-9, 9-8). Freshman Jarrett Culver (11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds) and Zhaire Smith (11.4, 4.7) have also benefited from the tutelage of the veteran quintet.

"The reason why Culver and Z (Zhaire Smith) are having these kinds of seasons is because of guys like Justin Gray, Zach, Norense, Keenan, Niem and Tommy are the leaders," Beard said. "So, these guys have done a lot. ... I look forward to watching these guys have a great March."

TCU has won its last four games and is looking to continue its success with players such as Vlad Brodziansky (15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds), Kenrich Williams (13.0, 9.3), Desmond Bane (12.8, 4.1) and Kouat Noi (10.6, 4.1). The Horned Frogs are 3-5 in conference road games.

"We're going to have to play great on Saturday to try to protect our home floor," Beard said. "I have a lot of respect for TCU, their players and their coach."

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